The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on October 23, 2007. Those in attendance were Trustees David Armentrout, Diane Dillon and Bonnie Howe. Fiscal Officer, JoAnn Townend, Darrell Stephens, Jim Mahood, Van Black, Chief Palmer and Julie Gonzales.

Resolution No. 2007-162 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to accept the minutes of October 10, 2007. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

ROAD SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Darrell said Issue 2 has been submitted to the State.

The street signs have been ordered. Diane will get the verbiage to Darrell for the signs at the park.

Darrell is still reviewing specifications with International regarding the new truck.

Darrell will be meeting with Rob Such on Thursday. We should know more on where to lay the plots at the cemetery. The pins will need to be located; if we can’t find them we will need to have it surveyed.

There were two (2) funerals since the last meeting and one (1) one Thursday.

Darrell reported Adelman is working on the culvert pipes at the park.

The water at the park will be turned off this week.

Darrell isn’t having any luck find inexpensive fire proof cabinets. JoAnn will also check for pricing.

The Board scheduled employee evaluations for Monday, November 12th at 8:00 AM for the Road Crew, Zoning Department. Dave will contact Judy & MaryAnn to see if they are available. The Board agreed to block off a time for the Fire Department.

The County Engineer will be hosting the Township Trustees Meeting on November 16th.

Community Awareness Day is November 10th from 10:00 – 2:00.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 6th.

ZONING INSPECTOR’S REPORT

There were nine (9) acts of business.

Jim met with Chris Meduri regarding the Firehouse permit. Chris recommended checking with the Ohio Department of Liquor Control Board to see if they are classified to have a patio. He suggested having the Zoning Commission expand on their definition of “restaurant” to include patio or outside dining.

The Trustees are still accepting applications for the Zoning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Resolution No. 2007-163 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe to adopt the new Ohio Fire Code, as amended to date by the Ohio State Fire Marshall pertaining to fire hazards and fire prevention as reviewed by the Portage County Prosecutor’s Office. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2007-164 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe to enter into a maintenance agreement with EMSAR to maintain the ambulance cots twice a year in an amount not to exceed $100.00 per cot. There are currently two (2) cots. If there are any deficiencies found the department would pay for parts and labor. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

For the month of September $1,874.50 was collected for non-resident ambulance billing. Year to date we have collected $23,258.92 and have billed $34,226.00.

The new ambulance bill rates went into effect this month.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Park Land:

Diane presented the Trustees invoices from Rootstown Excavating for the pond at the park. JoAnn will process.

Diane presented the Board with a picture of playground equipment from Recreation Creation, Inc. the Park Committee proposed. The cost is $28,000.00. There will be an additional cost of $3,000.00 for mulch, etc. The springy playground equipment is approximately $3,000.00. Total cost $33,911.97. JoAnn said since the actual playground equipment exceeds $25,000, this expenditure will have to be bid. JoAnn will check her listing to see if Recreation Creation, Inc. is on the State Bid list.

Dave said Charlestown is also in the process of constructing a storage building at their cemetery and it consists of an overhang/porch. Dave said we may want to have one on our building as well; a service could be conducted underneath it.

NEW BUSINESS

The Board agreed to schedule interviews on Tuesday, November 13th with the applicants that applied for the Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. Dave will contact them.

Resolution No. 2007-165 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to prohibit hunting at the park. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Bonnie attended the Ohio Public Records Law Training on October 17th in Akron.

Dave contacted Ohio Edison regarding our request over a year ago to install a street light at Route 18 and Kenneth Drive. Dave will be contacting Robin Paton.

The Board agreed for Regional Planning Commission to be our representative for the 2010 address census update. There will be no cost involved.

Dave spoke with Richard Lewis of NEOUCOM and insured him that they will not be closing the college here in Rootstown. Mr. Lewis will notify the Trustees by attending one of the Board meetings of any issues that are being discussed.

FISCAL OFFICER

JoAnn gave the Trustees a copy of the Rootstown Excavating contract.

JoAnn said she asked Darrell to look for any box that is marked 1998 for the Ohio Petition Fund.

Resolution No. 2007-166 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to pay bills on file with the Fiscal Officer. Upon roll call all yeas and no nays.

Resolution No. 2007-167 Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe that the Rootstown Township Trustees move into executive session at 6:55 PM to discuss personnel wages and benefits and possible litigation. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2007-168 – Upon conclusion of the above referenced discussion a motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe that the Rootstown Township Trustees moves out of executive session at 7:30 PM. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

After exiting Executive Session, the Rootstown Board of Trustees took no action.

Resolution No. 2007-169 - Motion was made by David Armentrout to adjourn at 7:40 PM.

Respectfully Submitted:

_____________________________________
David Armentrout
Chairman

_____________________________________
JoAnn Townend
Fiscal Officer